Senior Manager - Potato Best Practices & Sustainability

Overview

The PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA)/Frito-Lay Best Practices and Sustainability Senior Manager will oversee and coordinate the efforts of the Potato Storage Research & Best Practices Manager, Ag & Variety Commercialization Manager, Ag Soil & Water Best Practices Manager, Ag Sustainable Green House Gases (GHG) Best Practices Manager, and Ag Sustainability Reporting Senior Analyst. This role is responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of strategies across storage research, variety commercialization, soil & water health, GHG reduction, and sustainability reporting. The leader will drive collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement to meet Frito-Lay's business and sustainability goals.

Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership and Coordination:
• Lead and mentor a diverse team of specialists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Lead and inspire team members by fostering their professional growth through personalized coaching in one-on-one sessions and dynamic group settings. Utilize coaching for clarity techniques to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of their goals and challenges, enhance self-awareness, and develop actionable plans for continuous development and high performance.
2. Strategic Planning and Execution:
• In partnership with direct reports, growers, and cross-functional teams, co-develop and implement comprehensive strategies to drive improvement in: commercial potato storage, variety commercialization, potato agronomic best practices, soil & water health, GHG reduction and sequestration in North America.
• Oversee the execution of commercial scale trials designed to develop data and insights used to inform and align strategic priorities listed above.
• Use multiple theories of change constructs to ensure adoption and commercialization of strategies at farm and business level.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including growers, industry partners, and ag sustainability experts.
• Act as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, addressing concerns and facilitating knowledge exchange.
• Represent PFNA Potatoes at industry events and conferences, including but not limited to the Potato Association of America (PAA), Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA), and local potato extension meetings.
• Set the tone and approach for how Frito-Lay led technical potato training and engagements are conducted.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making:
• Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data related to storage, variety performance, soil health, water use efficiency, GHG emissions, and sustainability metrics.
• Co-develop big data end-to-end AI models to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous improvement across key pillars of quality, sustainability, and grower agronomic performance.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of sustainability initiatives and progress - meeting annual external Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements.
5. pep+ Sustainable Agriculture:
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of pep+ sustainable agriculture initiatives, including soil health, carbon reduction & sequestration, watershed health, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods. PepsiCo Positive
• Refine the Potato Category strategy to ensure delivery of 2030 Positive Agriculture Initiatives through co-development with Frito-Lay Potato Team, global ag & sustainability stakeholders and grower partners.
6. Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
• Stay current on industry advancements and best practices in potato postharvest physiology, variety development & commercialization, potato agronomy, sustainability, and complementary ag-technology.
• Foster a culture of innovation, encouraging the team to explore new approaches and solutions while balancing business priorities.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance potato quality, productivity, and sustainability for both farms and brands (Lay's, Ruffles, Wavy, Stax, Miss Vickie's).
7. Ad-hoc Support:
• Act as the technical potato expert for the Frito-Lay Potato Team and provide knowledge and subject matter expertise extension for growers and business when necessary.
• Provide technical support for broader Positive Agriculture dimensions, including soil health, carbon sequestration, watershed health, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods.
• Collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to address emerging challenges and opportunities within the potato industry.
8. Budget Management:
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the Best Practices and Sustainability Team, ensuring alignment with commercial priorities.
• Monitor expenditures and optimize resource allocation to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Develop and implement incentive programs to transition growers toward more sustainable practices and improved GHG outcomes.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $114,700 - $192,100.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills and experience will be considered in setting actual starting salary.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility; target payout is 15% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

Key Education & Experience Required:

• Master's or PhD in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Agricultural Science.
• Proven experience in leading agricultural trials, developing agronomy best practices, and managing agricultural lab operations.
• Direct experience in North American potato production, technology commercialization and sustainability.
• Strong communication skills for engaging with Frito-Lay grower partners on sustainability and agricultural practices.
• Experience in leading managers in a matrix agricultural environment.

Differentiating Competencies Required:

• Demonstrated technical communication skills across grower, commercial, and technical industry communities.
• Proven track record in leading and developing agricultural research managers and technicians.
• Ability to lead effectively without formal authority in cross-functional internal and external environments.
• Strong background in potato production, ag research, and sustainability with focus on applied commercialization strategies.
• Proficient in analyzing, interpreting, and presenting commercial, research, and survey data.
• Skilled at quickly and accurately identifying trends and correlations in both internal and external data sources.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

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